FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Performances Announced for the 2024 Induction Ceremony
(Kannapolis, NC) – Performances have been announced for an exciting ceremony to officially induct six artists into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. The ceremony, presented by Visit Mooresville, will be held on Thursday, October 17, 2024, in downtown Mooresville at the Charles Mack Citizen Center. Live performances are scheduled to include Petey Pablo, Anthony Hamilton, The Tennessee Bluegrass Band, H.C. McEntire, Kendrick Williams, and David Johnson with Bobby Denton. Special guest emcee for the evening is George Hamilton V. The public may purchase tickets at: NorthCarolinaMusicHallofFame.org.
2024 North Carolina Music Hall of Fame inductee Petey Pablo will perform at his induction next week. The GRAMMY-nominated platinum rap artist is known for recording North Carolina’s unofficial anthem “Raise Up.” Other top hits by Petey Pablo include “Freek-A-Leek” and “Carolina Colors,” all which have become radio and sports stadium favorites. His collaborations with Timbaland, Black Rob, Busta Rhymes, Lil Wayne and Ciara have earned him multiple Billboard chart-toppers and platinum certifications by RIAA. He has appeared on the hit TV shows The Shield and Empire, as well as in the hit movie Drumline.
Performing in remembrance of Clarence Avant is 2017 North Carolina Music Hall of Fame inductee Anthony Hamilton. Anthony Hamilton was born in Charlotte, NC and was introduced by way of the 2003 iconic hit “Charlene”. The GRAMMY Award winning singer, songwriter, producer, and actor Anthony Hamilton has achieved global sales of over 50 million albums. Hamilton notably performed for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle, cementing his place in the history books as the “narrator of love.” Hamilton now adds author and publisher to his list of accomplishments with the unveiling of his first self-published book, Cornbread, Fish ‘n Collard Greens, where he shares the inspiration for some of the iconic songs in his illustrious career and his love of southern food.
Performing in tribute to Bobby Hicks, who passed away on August 16, 2024, is the Tennessee Bluegrass Band. Bobby Hicks served as a mentor to Lincoln Hensley, who is leader of the band. The Tennessee Bluegrass Band is shining a light on the importance of traditional bluegrass music, tastefully played, can be both exciting and inspiring. The Tennessee Bluegrass Band is rapidly making a name for themselves as an exciting new group with great passion for the music they play. The group was formed from top-notch musicians that gained expertise through performing with some of the industry’s leading bands. The Tennessee Bluegrass Band has a passion for making music that combines the ideas of the past with modern-day creativity.
“We plan on doing 3-4 tunes that Bobby was especially known for performing or writing, with our fiddler Michael Feagan playing them in Bobby’s signature style. We all just adored and respected Bobby Hicks so much, and the way his music has influenced us would be hard to measure,” said Lincoln Hensley.
Performing on behalf of Merge Records is H.C. McEntire, whose six albums on the label had three with the band Mount Moriah (How to Dance, Miracle Temple, and Mount Moriah) and three as a solo artist (Every Acre, Eno Axis, and LIONHEART) have established her as one of the great North Carolinian musicians and songwriters of her generation. Raised in the Blue Ridge foothills near Tryon, NC, and currently based in Durham, McEntire’s music is shaped by place, drawing on the musical traditions of American folk, and rock music. With a background in creative writing, McEntire pens lyrics with a poetic focus, often grappling with the complexity of life in the South: its traditions, majesty, the land, and the individual’s place on it that are borne aloft by her voice, which colors them like a night sky lit by fire.
Performing in tribute to Mary Cardwell Dawson is Kendrick Williams, who is renowned for his warm, captivating lyrical tone. Kendrick Williams is a distinguished classical vocalist. His commanding stage presence has shone in productions of iconic operas such as Tosca, The Magic Flute, La Bohème, and Carmen. Williams has performed with esteemed ensembles like the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. His recent career highlights include his debut as Jake in Porgy & Bess with Opera Carolina and North Carolina Opera, as well as his role debut as Yamadori in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. Williams is currently studying with acclaimed mezzo-soprano Victoria Livengood, a 1999 North Carolina Music Hall of Fame inductee. He is also the author of the newly released children’s book, Noah’s Big Opera Dream.
Performing in commemoration of Tommy Faile is David Johnson & Band with guest performer Bobby Denton. Hailing from the foothills of North Carolina, David Johnson has spent over fifty years on sound stages and recording studios. Working in several band configurations during the average year, David is often joined with several of his musical friends, and such is the case for this year’s ceremony which includes Scott Gentry on bass and Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame member Eric Ellis on guitar. Rounding out the friends is Ronnie Black on mandolin and guitar.
Joining the event as celebrity guest emcee is George Hamilton V, a 30-year veteran of the Grand Ole Opry and son of country legend and NC Music Hall of Famer George Hamilton IV. George carries the international music family tradition onward, touring around the world performing his music. George is an internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter, producer, and radio presenter. George V, who has been called, “The International Ambassador of Americana Music,” has won multiple awards and is a songwriter with catalogs published by CURB Music, Sony Music and more.
About the NCMHOF:
The 501(c)3 nonprofit organization was formed in Thomasville, NC in 1994 on the basis that North Carolina has long been a hotbed of musical talent, and its soil has birthed some of the most influential figures in music. Its mission is to recognize, promote, and commemorate the musical heritage of the State of North Carolina. Learn more at: NorthCarolinaMusicHallofFame.org